Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

DS 5yrs swollen tonsils and struggling to breath/having sleep apnoea

1 reply

countrylover · 10/05/2011 20:47

DS has had very swollen tonsils for a few days now with a low grade fever. I haven't taken him to the GP as he's been fine once he's had some nurofen and he's even been going to school. However this evening since being asleep he sounds like he's really struggling to breathe and is having episodes of sleep apnoea. I keep having to shake him to get him to catch his breath. Literally he will only take one breath before going into the sleep apnoea style rasping and then stopping breathing for a few seconds. He can only be getting one normal lung full of air every 30 seconds.

He's still asleep but is this something which needs immediate medical attention? I know if I woke him up he would be breathing fine as he has been all day so I'm right to wait until the morning for a GP appointment right? He's five years old so of course if he was a baby/toddler then I'd probably be in A&E right now and not sitting here typing this!

OP posts:
Al1son · 11/05/2011 20:20

That is exactly what my DD used to do all night every night for months, if no years. She had her tonsils out in the end and it solved the problem for a few years. Sadly it is creeping back now.

He will wake and take a proper breath each time his oxygen level drops enough and it will only do harm if it goes on for weeks and months. He will probably get very tired in the day while it's happening because he's not getting good quality sleep so if it continues once he's back at school you'll need to let them know.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread